GOP speaker: 'Let's make a deal'

INDIANAPOLIS | With a showdown over Gov. Mitch Daniels' $3.85 billion plan to lease the Indiana Toll Road just days away, another top Republican laid out a few bargaining chips.

"I think we need to look at all the options that are available to make the Major Moves package work, including looking at the numbers -- looking at the percentage of the proceeds that go to Toll Road counties, versus non-Toll Road counties, even looking at potential preferences on tolls for residents of the Toll Road counties," House Speaker Brian Bosma told The Times on Thursday.

"I think we ought to examine a commuter discount, or a commuter toll freeze," said Bosma, R-Indianapolis. "And these are issues worth exploring and things that I hope, ultimately, will be worked into the bill."

Daniels, too, has indicated he would be willing to negotiate the 34 percent split that Major Moves -- his 10-year transportation program -- promises Lake, Porter and the five other counties that surround the Toll Road.

Right now, the one-third share of the lease proceeds amounts to $1.35 billion, including $100 million for the Regional Development Authority.

At the same time, the Republican administration has been quick to warn that the funding will evaporate if the General Assembly doesn't give Daniels permission to sign the 75-year, $3.85 billion lease with Cintra-Macquaire, a Spanish-Australian partnership that also operates the Chicago Skyway.

Daniels has made similar remarks in other parts of the state where the lease proceeds would fund massive road and bridge construction projects. Without the lease, the state would have to cut new road construction in half, or borrow against pending toll hikes, as Democrats have suggested.

The House has until Thursday to make changes to House Bill 1008, which authorizes the lease, and vote it over to the Senate. Democrats have shown united opposition so far, putting the spotlight on a handful of Republicans who live near the Toll Road.

Just before midnight Wednesday, Democrats took the rare step of forcing an initial vote on whether to accept the lease legislation from committee. That forced Republicans, who control the chamber by a slim 52-48 edge, to endorse the measure, although not before a fiery scolding from state Rep. Craig Frye, D-Mishawaka.

"For those of you who think this is going to be an easy vote -- it's going to cost you seats in this Legislature, because any Republican in the Toll Road counties who votes for this bill is going to be in jeopardy, because the people are speaking in volumes," Frye said.

"They are telling me, 95 to 5, that, 'This is a stupid idea. What are you thinking? I'll never vote for Mitch Daniels again, ever.' And I'm telling you, if you vote for it, and you live in the Toll Road counties, you're going to pay a price."

The harsh words prompted a brief exchange between Bosma and Frye, but the speaker said the exchange had nothing to do with his willingness to negotiate.

"I thought there was some specific and crass political threats made that have no place in the public-policy arena," Bosma said. "We need to get beyond the political threats and get to the policy and whether or not we want to create jobs and build roads in this state."